Leek Building Society

Who they are

Leek Building Society - formally Leek United Building Society - was established on 1 January 1863 and is an independent mutual building society based in Leek, Staffordshire. That makes it one of the older mutuals still operating in the UK, with well over 160 years of history behind it. It is the 17th largest building society in the UK, with total assets of £1,313.9m as at 31 December 2023.

Its heartland is the midland counties of Staffordshire, Cheshire, Derbyshire, and Shropshire, where its branches are located - though online and intermediary channels have extended its reach nationwide. It has been voted the UK's Best Building Society 2026 at the British Bank Awards, which speaks to its reputation for member service, even if it is a smaller, more regional name than the high street giants.

Savings accounts

At present, the one savings product available through DepositScout for Leek Building Society is its Junior Cash ISA. It pays 3.85% AER variable and can be opened with as little as £1. The rate sits at the very top of the Junior Cash ISA market - competitive with the best on offer from any provider right now. The money is locked away until the child turns 18, which is standard for any Junior ISA; this is a long-term pot by design, not a flexible account.

One thing to be aware of: Leek Building Society savings accounts can be opened in branch or via post, and some can be opened online. The Junior ISA is branch or postal only to open, so it is worth factoring that in if you are not local to one of their Midlands branches.

On FSCS protection, your deposits with Leek Building Society are covered up to £120,000 - above the standard £85,000 limit. This higher figure applies per person, per institution, and reflects the way FSCS protection is calculated for certain account types including Junior ISAs.

What Leek is like to deal with

Leek Building Society shines with its friendly, helpful staff and the comfort of local branches where you can get face-to-face advice - people appreciate the personal touch and clear explanations. That in-branch experience is consistently well rated.

The digital side is a different story. Some customers have found the online platform outdated and clunky, with managing an account or checking information taking longer than it should - the website and app have been noted as needing an overhaul. If you are a digital-first saver who wants to manage everything through an app, that is worth knowing upfront. If you are happy to do things by post or visit a branch, you are likely to get a warmer experience. Branch opening hours are often limited for full-time workers, so it is worth checking your nearest branch before you apply.

Is it right for you?

Leek Building Society is a solid choice for parents looking to open a Junior Cash ISA at a market-leading rate for a child. The 3.85% AER variable rate, with a £1 minimum, makes it accessible and competitive. Just go in with open eyes: this is a branch-and-post provider with a more traditional way of doing things, and the rate is variable, meaning it can change at any time.

There are currently no current account switch offers available from Leek Building Society on DepositScout, so if a switching bonus is what you are after, you will need to look elsewhere.

As always, rates move - check the live figures shown on this page before you apply to make sure you are seeing the most up-to-date picture.